Electrical connector assembly



1966 E. GOLDBAUM ET AL 3,

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 18, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Ellioh Goldbaum Gordon Ablen y Larsen AT TORNEYS 8, 1966 E. GOLDBAUM ET AL ,7

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 18, 1963 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 8, 1966 E, GOLDBAUM ET AL 3,284,753

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 18, 1963 8, 1966 E. GOLDBAUM ET AL 3,284,753

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 18, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 3, 1966 E. GOLDBAUM ET AL 3,284,753

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 18, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 MI!!! 116 Ir 116 Nov. 8, 1966 E. GOLD BAUM ET AL 3,284,753

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 18, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent 3,284,753 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Elliott Goldbaum, Brooklyn, Gordon Ablett, New York,

and Odd Larsen, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignors to Lehigh Valley Industries, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 309,749 8 Claims. (Cl. 339-44) This invention relates to electrical connectors such as used to interconnect the electrical circuits of a truck or tractor with the electrical circuits of a trailer. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an improved truck-trailer electrical connector which is simple and inexpensive in construction, is reliable in operation, is relatively easy to install, and effectively inhibits short circuiting or arcing between adjacent circuits.

The lighting, signalling and other circuits of a truck or tractor are interconnected with the lighting, signalling and corresponding other circuits of a trailer :by a disengageable connector assembly usually comprising a relatively fixed receptacle n the trailer and a plug attached by a cable to the truck or tractor. The two parts of the connector assembly are formed with interengageable pin and socket or sleeve contacts, and usually the plug and the receptacle are arranged for interengagement with a predetermined orientation in order to assure proper interconnection between the respective circuits.

As hitherto manufactured, the receptacles and plugs of truck-trailer connectors have generally been metal die castings, such as die castings of zinc or aluminum, for example. Various means have been used to maintain the two parts disengageably interconnected when the plug has been inserted into the receptacle, and covers are usually provided for the trailer receptacle to close cit the front opening therein when the plug on the truck has :been disengaged therefrom.

The trucking industry has been aware of certain disadvantages to known types of truck-trailer connectors. For example, in the case of a relatively quick or inadvertent disconnect of the plug from the receptacle, the con nector is usually damaged. Additionally, there is a sub stantial liability of short circuiting between adjacent contacts, or between a contact and a grounded casing, in the case of known truck and trailer connectors. In addition, known truck and trailer connectors are relatively expensive to manufacture, and thus are relatively high in price. A further incidental disadvantage of some of the known truck-trailer connectors has been the possibility of misalignment of the interengageable pins and sockets.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a truck-trailer electrical connector which obviates these disadvantages of prior art truck-trai1er connectors.

To this end, the invention truck-trailer electrical connector includes receptacle and plug bodies moldable of a dielectric plastic composition material. The receptacle body is formed with a front opening recess which matingly receives the plug body, and is provided with a spring biased hinged cover having novel latching means cooperable with the plug when the latter is engaged in the receptacle. This novel latching means is readily releasable upon a sudden strain or pull tending to disconnect the plug from the receptacle, so as to avoid any damage to parts due to a quick disconnect.

The front opening recess in the receptacle has a bottom or inner wall, and a plurality of relatively elongated I 3,284,753 Patented Nov. 8, 1966 "ice the recess, and a substantially flat terminal portion projecting rearwardly from the wall and arranged to have a wire connected thereto. The receptacle body is formed with uniformly related partitions extending rearwardly from such bottom wall, and these partitions define electrically isolated compartments for the respective conductor terminal portions, with the compartments opening peripherally of the receptacle body for ready access to the terminal portions of the conductors to provide for connection of the conductors of the receptacle to the circuit wires of the trailer.

The hinged cover for the receptacle is spring biased to a closed position wherein a V-shaped circular notch in the inner surface of the cover engages a circular beveled front end edge of the recess of the receptacle to form a dust-tight fit therewith without the interposition of a gasket. The cover and receptacle are molded with hinge means of a novel construction whereby the cover and its biasing spring may be readily snapped into hingin-g relation with the receptacle. Nevertheless, the cover may be readily disengaged from the receptacle, when necessary or desirable, as when the cover may have been damaged. The hinge means provide sufiicient lateral play of the cover to assure interfitting engagement of the V-groove and the bevelled edge.

The plug has a plurality of uniformly arranged and disposed longitudinal passages therethr-ough, these passages conforming in spatial disposition to the conductors of the receptacle. A plurality of sleeve type electrical conductors are disposed in these passage-s, being anchored or locked to an apertured partition midway of the plug body, but havinga pre-set degree of radial freedom or float. The rear ends of these sleeve conductors are formed as flattened terminal portions, and are so disposed that access may be 'had to any terminal portion for connection of a wire thereto without interference from any other terminal portion, the connecting screws being staggered both laterally and longitudinally of the plug body.

' The rear portion of the plug body opens downwardly, and includes a rearwardly extending part which has a semi-cylindrical surface portion designed to form one-half of a cable clamp. A clamprnember is releasably hinged to the mainbody of the plug, as by having hinge pins engageable in outwardly opening hinge slots. This clamp is formed with a downwardly extending operating arm or handle, and with a surface portion which substantially mates with the cable clamp portion of the plug body to complete the cable clamp. Screws are provided to secure the free end of the clamp to the plug body to clamp a cable therebetween, this arrangement thus accommodating a wide range of cable diameters.

Due to the downward opening of the rearportion of the plug body, access to the terminal portions of the sleeve type conductors is ready and easy once the screws holding the clamp to the plug body have been released and the clamp has been disengaged from the plug body. For the purpose of providing alignment between the pin conductors of the receptacle and the sleeve conductors of the plug, the sleeves are formed with outwardly diverging spring fingers at their outer ends so that the pin conductors of the receptacles are easily guided into aligned relation with the sleeve conductors of the plug.

The truck-trailer electrical connector of the invention is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, reliable in operation, and arranged for ready access to all parts where connections are to be made to the circuits of the truck or of the trailer. Due to the safety latch feature,

the truck-trailer connector cannot be damaged upon a quick disconnect, and yet the plug is reliably maintained in mating engagement in the receptacle by the safety latch means.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodimentthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, illustrating the truck-trailer electrical connector in the assembled or interengaged position;

FIG. 2 is an axial sectional view through the receptacle;

1 FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of the receptacle with the cover disconnected therefrom; I

, FIG. 4 is a partial rear elevational view of the receptacle;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the receptacle with the cover removed;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of the rear end of the receptacle;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of one of the electrical conductors of the receptacle;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the electrical conductor shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a partial outside plan view of the receptacle cover; H

FIG. 11 is an inside plan view of the receptacle cover;

FIG. 11A is a partial elevation and sectional view illustrating the assembling of the cover to the receptacle;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of one of the hinge pins of the cover;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the hinge pin looking from the right of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a partial transverse sectional view through the receptacle cover illustrating the formation of a cam groove for the releasable latch;

. FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the plug body; l FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the plug body; FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the plug body;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the plug body;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of one of the sleeve conductors of the plug body;

FIG. 21 is a side elevational View of the conductor shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the 'plugconductor, showing the diverging front fingers;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged partial elevational view of the free end of a sleeve conductor of the plug, illustrating the diverging fingers; I FIG. 24 is a front end elevational view of the assembled p FIG. 25 is a sectional view on the line 25-25 of FIG. 24;

7 FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken on the line 2626 of FIG. 25;

- FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the clamp for the plug;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the clamp; and FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the clamp taken on the line 29--29 of FIG. 28.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 25, the truck-trailer connector of the invention includes a receptacle R having a hinged cover C provided with a safety release latch generally indicated at L. Receptacle R is arranged to be mounted, for example, upon a trailer and to have its conductors 40 connected to the respective lighting, signal, and other circuits of the trailer. A plug P has mating interengagement in the receptacle R and has sleeve-type conductors 100 telescopingly receiving the pin-type conductors 40 of the receptacle R, the sleeve-like conductors 100 being' connected to the respective lighting, signalling and other'circuits of the truck.

Cover C, as will be explained more fully hereinafter, is spring biased to a position closing the opening or recess in receptacle R which receives the plug P. The inner surface of cover C has mounted thereon the releasable latch generally indicated at L and which is engag'eable with suitable means on the plug P normally to maintain the plug firmly engaged in receptacle R. However, upon a sudden sharp dis-connecting action exerted on plug P and receptacle R, latch L is automatically released so that there will be no damage to the parts.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 through 6, receptacle R comprises a body 30 which is molded of a suitable dielectric plastic composition material. While receptacle body 30 may have any desired contour or configuration, it is preferably generally circular in cross section.

Body 30 includes a generally tubular and cylindrical front portion 31 which defines a cylindrical recess 35 for receiving the operating or front end of the plug P. Portion 31 has, at one point, a substantially rectangular orientation groove 32 extending longitudinally of its inner surface, groove 32 receiving a cooperating rib formation on plug P to properly align plug P and receptacle R during interengagement thereof. Recess 35 has a bottom or inner wall, generally indicated at 33, which constitutes a front end surface of a reduced diameter substantially solid circular cross section extension 34 extending rearwardly from the cylindrical portion 31.

The elongated conductors 40, which are made of a suitable electrically conductive material such as copper, brass, or the like, extend through bottom wall 33 and the extension 34, being molded integrally therewith. This is best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, and particularly to FIG. 5, it will be noted that there are a series of conductors 40A and 40G arranged at substantially equal angular spacings around the circumference of a circle concentric with the cylindrical portion 31, and that there is a conductor 40B at substantially the center of such circle. The conductors 40A and 40B have pin portions 41 which are equal in diameter, but the pin portion 41 of conductor 406 has a diameter which is substantially larger than that of the pin portions of conductors 40A and 4013.

The pins 40A have generally cylindrical front or pin ends 41 and substantially flat terminal ends 42. These pins are all substantially equal in length. However, pin 403, while similar in shape to the pins 40A and having the same lateral dimensions, is substantially longer than the pins 40A so as to extend further rearwardly of the body 30 of the receptacle R. The grounding pin or conductor 40G is longer than the pins 40A so that it extends forwardly to a greater extent than do the pins 40A.

. A polygonal cross section boss 38 extends centrally from the rear surface of partition 34, and a plurality of partitions 45, equal in number to the number of pins 40A and 40G, extend rearwardly from the rear surface of partition 34 and radially from boss 38. The partitions extend substantially beyond the terminal portions 42 of the pins 40A and 40G, and define electrically iso lated compartments 46 in each of which is disposed the terminal portion of a pin 40A or 40G.

It will be noted that compartments 46 open radially outwardly, and that the terminal portion 42B of pin 40B extends rearwardly beyond the end of boss 38. "l hus, connections can be made to each of the terminal portions 42 without interference with any other terminal portion. The partitions 45 furthermore prevent arcing or short circuiting between adjacent conductors 40. To properly position pins 40 in the body 30 during molding of the latter, the pins are formed with a circumferentially aligned series of protuberances 47 and with projecting cars 48.

Adjacent its forward or front end, body 30- of receptacle R is formed with a substantially flat mounting flange 36 whose configuration is best seen in FIG. 5. Mounting flange 36 is fo'rmedwith a pair of apertures 37 for receiving bolts, screws or the like for mounting receptacle R on a front surface of a trailer.

rectilinear, and on its outer surface the flange is formed with a pair of apertured ears 50- adjacent its upper edge and in axially aligned and spaced relation to each other. Ear 50A is spaced inwardly somewhat from the left end of flange 36, as viewed in FIG. 5, and includes a relatively large outer bore 51 communicating on aligned axes with a' smaller diameter bore 52. For a purpose to be described, bore 51 is recessed to provide a helical cam surface 51A. Ear 50B is substantially flush with the right end of the upper rectilinear edge of flange 36, and includes a bore 53 which has a diameter substantially equal to that of the bore 52, and which communicates with a relatively larger diameter bore or recess 54. Large bore 51 serves toreceive a coil spring 55 which biases cover C to close the receptacle R. Ears 50A and 50B receive the pivotal mounting pins of cover C.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and through 15, cover C is molded from the same dielectric plastic composition material as that from which receptacle R is molded. The 'cover includes a main body portion 56 which i substantially circular in plan, and the inner surface of main body portion 56 is formed with an annular groove 57. Groove 57 is arranged to have a mating fit with an annular rib 39 on portion 31 of body 30 of receptacle R.

Extending from a port-ion of the periphery of the portion 56 are a pair of webs 58 which are angular in plan and conjointly define a rectilinear upper edge 59 for the cover. An car 60 extends from each of the webs 58, and the spacing between corresponding end surfaces of ears 60 is slightly greater than the spacing between corresponding end surfaces of ears 50 of receptacle body 30. Ear 60A has extending therefrom a pivot pin 61 which has a split 62 extending inwardly from its outer end to provide a pair of spring fingers 63. The main body portion of pin 61 is flattened along diametrically opposite zones, as indicated more particularly in FIG. 14 at 64. Just outwardly of the inner end of split 62, semi-circular triangular cross section shoulders 65 form transition surfaces between the main body of pin 61 and fingers 63' and project outwardly of the main body of pin 61 with their sloping surfaces toward the outer ends of fingers 63. The overall length of pin 61, includingfingers 63 and shoulders 65, is substantially equal to the axial length of apertured ear 50B of flange 36 of body 30. A pin 66 extends to the left from the ear 60B, and has an overall length substantially equal to the axial length of apertured ear 50A of flange 36 of body 30. Pin 66 is formed with a longitudinal groove 66A.

In assembling cover C to receptacle body 30, coil spring 55 is placed over pin 66. Spring 55 has a radially inwardly projecting end 55A engageable in the groove 66A, and also has a radially outwardly projecting end 55B. As shown in FIG. 11A, cover C is positioned so that pins 61 and 66 are aligned with the respective ears 50B and 50A, and with cover C offset somewhat to the left relative to flange 36. The cover is then moved to the right so that pin 61 will enter ear 50B and pin 66 and spring 55 will enter ear 50A. As the cover is pressed to the right, end 55B of spring 55 rides along helical cam surface 51A to wind or charge spring 55 to the desired tension. Due to the split 62, fingers 63 are inwardly so that shoulders 65 will pass through passage 53. These shoulders, upon entering enlarged recess 54, snap outwardly to lock cover C in position.

The outer diameters of pins 61 and 66 are less than the inner diameters of bores 53 and 52, respectively. This feature, in combination with the relatively greater axial spacing of cars 60 as compared to ears 50 provides a degree of lateral play of cover C sufiicient to accurately engage V-shape circular groove 57 with beveled edge 39 of body 30, this engagement being facilitated by the sloping surfaces of the groove and the recess. Thereby, under the bias of spring 55, a tight seal is provided 6 between cover C and receptacle body R without the necessity of using any interposed gasket.

From FIGS. 12 and 13, it will be noted that fingers 63 have substantially flat edges, and the distance between the outer surfaces of these flat edges is less than the diameter of recess 54 of apertured ear 50B. Thereby, the cover may be removed for replacement or the like by inserting a pair of pliers, or the like, into recess 54 to engage and compress fingers 63 toward each other. This withdraws shoulders 65 sufficiently so that they will pass into smaller diameter passage 53 and the cover may be moved to the left to become disengaged from receptacle body 30.

The safety releasable latch mechanism L is mounted upon portion 56 of cover C. For this purpose, portion 56 is formed with a circular aperture 67 therethrou-gh, as best seen in FIG. 2, and with an arcuate cam recess or groove 68. which is concentric about aperture 67 and extending through about 90 degrees from the six oclock position to the nine oclock position as viewed in FIG. 11. Between the eight oclock position and the nine oclock position, as viewed in FIG. 11, recess 68 has its bottom sloping upwardly and outwardly to form a ramp 69, as best seen in FIG. 15.

' Latch mechanism L includes a latch 70 which has a pin 71 extending therefrom adjacent one end and formed with a slightly enlarged head, the distance between the body of latch 70 and the inner surface of head 72 being substantially equal to the thickness of portion 56 to cover C. Latch arm 70 lies flush with the inner surface of portion 56 and, at its free end, arm 70 is formed with a frusto-conical head or pin 73 which rides in recess 68. Extending inwardly from the free outer or free end of latch arm 70, for a distance somewhat less than half the length of the latch arm, there is an abutment or enlargement on the outer surface of latch arm 70. The left-hand edge of enlargement 75 is beveled, as at 74 as viewed in FIG. 1.

The latching arrangement operates in the following manner. FIG. 10 shows latch arm 70 in its fully retracted or inoperative position, and FIG. 11 shows the latch partly retracted. Normally, latch arm 70 is swung to a position nearly at a 90-degree angle to that shown in FIG. 10. This causes guide pin 73 to ride up along ramp 69 which moves the free end of latch arm 70 outwardly away from the inner surface of portion 56 of cover C. Pin 73 then snaps into-a frusto-conical recess 76, with abutment 75 positioned substantially transversely of cover C. When cover C is released, spring 55 will bias cover C toward plug P and latch arm 75 will engage behind a shoulder 147 on body of plug P.

Plug P is normally disconnected from receptacle R by lifting cover C to remove latch 75 from out of the path of abutment 147. Should there be an atttempt to disconnect plug P from receptacle R without lifting the spring biased cover C, latch 75 will ride up abutment 147 and allow such disconnection. In such case, latch bar 70 remains in the degree position, in which it extends transversely of the direction of disconnecting movement of plug P and receptacle R. The potential pivoting movement of latch bar 70 is provided for the event of a sudden disconnecting action or if something prevents the cover C from being cammed upwardly. In the latter case, engagement of shoulder 147 with abutment 75 will swing latch arm 70 substantially to the position shown in FIG. 10, releasing shoulder 147 to bypass latch bar 70. As latch bar or arm 70 is thus swung counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 11, guiding pin 73 moves out of recess 76, down ramp 69 and enters the deeper portion of arcuate recess 68 so that latch arm 70 will move into substantially flush relation with the inner surface of portion 56 of the cover, thus further retracting latch 75 from the path of movement of shoulder 147. Consequently, damage to the parts is prevented.

Limitation of swinging movement of latch arm 70 is provided by a pair of abutments 77 formed to extend from the inner surface of cover portion 56. It should be noted that latch 70 is assembled with cover C merely by pushing pin 71 and its head 72 through aperture 67 until head 72 expands over the outer surface of the cover. Cover C increases in thickness from its free end toward its hinge end, so that there may be formed a recess 78 in which nameplate data may be molded.

Referring to FIGS. 16 through 19, 24, 25 and 26, plug P comprises a body 80 which preferably is, molded of the same dielectricplastic composition material as is receptacle R and its cover C as well as the latch L. Plug body 80 comprises a front or outer section 81 and a rear or cable attachment section 82. Front section 81 is quasi-polygonal in section except for a circular base 83 adjacent a substantially rectangular face 84 of rear body section 82. Body section 81 is formed with a plurality of circular bores 85A, 85B and 85G extending therethrough and terminating at shoulders 86 (FIG. 25). These bores open through the active or outer face 87 of body 80. Bores 85 correspond in location to conductors 40 of receptacle R, and include a series of relatively small diameter bores 85A spaced equiangularly about the circumference of a circle with a similar diameter bore SSE at the center of this circle. A larger diameter bore 856 is formed near the upper end of the body with its center or axis adjacent but outwardly of the same circle. Each bore has a substantially rectangular groove extending along one side thereof as indicated at 88, and a further rectangular groove 89 extending therealong at about the :30 oclock position and perpendicular to groove 88.

The rear section 82 of the plug body 80 has a generally rectangular trough shapeincluding a pair of trapezoidal side Walls 91 extending rearwardly from front face 84. A relatively thick partition 92 extends rearwardly from shoulders 86, between walls 91, and has a rear face 93. Bores 85A, 85B and 856 extend through partition 92, with their portion in the partition being reduced in cross sectional area by the depth of shoulders 86 which likewise extend through the partition.

The three lowermost bores 85A, as viewed in FIG. 17, terminates flush with surface 93. Partition 92 has a second surface 94 offset rearwardly from and substantially parallel to surface 93 and terminating upwardly of the three lowest bores 85A. The three intermediate bores '85A and 85B terminateflush with surface 94. The topmost bore 85G extends beyond surface 94 to terminate in a second step surface 96 substantially parallel to surface 93. Extending rearwardly from each of the bores 85A and 85B is a channel shape isolating compartment 90 formed integral with body section 82. The compartments 90 for the lower three bores 85A terminate flush with surface 94. The compartments 90 for the intermediate three bores 85A and 85B terminate flush with surface 96. A compartment 95, likewise of a general channel shape, is formed for the uppermost bore 85G, as an extension thereof, the length of compartment 95 being substantially equal to that of each of the compartments 90. Compartment 95 is formed by a rectangular recess in the upper wall of body section 82, as best seen in FIG. 25. The walls 97 forming the outer sides of the channel shape compartments 90 for the intermediate row of bores 85A and 85B are braced from side walls 91 by webs 98.

Surface 93 of partition 92 is formed with three substantially rectangular cross section vertically extending and parallel slots 101 each of which is offset outwardly of a slot 89 of a respective one of the lower three bores 85A to an extent such that the inner edge of the respective slot 101 coincides with the outer edge of the associated respective slot 89. Each slot 101 overlaps the associated slot'89 so as to form, at its junction therewith, a shoulder 102 for a purpose to be described. The offset or shouldered face 94 is similarly formed with three vertical slots 103 each correspondingly related to the slot 89 of one of the intermediate rows of bores A and 85B. Also, the rearmost face 96 is formed with a slot 104 which is correspondingly related with the slot 89 of the bore 856 to form a shoulder.

Bores 85 and the associated channels and receive the sleeve type electrically conductive metal conductors for the plug P. Referring to FIG. 20 through 23, each conductor 100 is a relatively elongated strip of electrically conductive metal such as copper, brass,

or the like. Each strip of metal is bent or otherm'se formed to provide a forward sleeve portion 105, arranged to disengageably and telescopically receive one of the conductor pins 40 of receptacle R, and a rearward substantially flat terminal portion 110. Sleeve portion 105 is slit longitudinally, as at 106, to form a sprin gy type sleeve, and is further formed with three short slits 107 extending inwardly from its outer end to form four substantially identical arcuate across section fingers 108 which, as best seen in FIGS. 20 through 23, diverge radially outwardly. This upper half of sleeve portion 105, as viewed in FIG. 21, has an inner end 109 which is short of the inner end of the lower half. This lower and semicylindrical half provides a transition section'lll between sleeve portion 105 and terminal portion 110.

Terminal portion 110 is substantially fiat and planar and is offset to one side of sleeve portion 105 to an extent such that-one edge of terminal portion 110 is disposed a little inwardly of the corresponding edge or outer surface of sleeve portion 105. This is best seen in FIG. 20. At its outer end, terminal portion '110 has a tubular boss 112 punched or extruded upwardly therefrom to form a sleeve receiving a self-tapping screw 113 for anchoring a conductor to terminal portion 110. Screws 113 are best seen in FIG. 25. Near its outer end and adjacent the 'boss 112, terminal portion 110 has a flange 114 bent upwardly at right angles thereto from that edge of the terminal portion which is most nearly aligned with the outer surface of sleeve portion 105. A finger 115 is bent from the end of flange 114 to extend toward sleeve portion 105 and laterally outwardly of terminal portion 110, finger 115 being essentially a springy or resilient finger.

Conductors 100 are divided intothree groups, of which conductors 100A, receivable in bores 85A, and conductor 100B, receivable in bore 853, have the same sleeve 67(52) G. MOSTINSKY 66055 NITE PATS. OCT. 19 diameter although conductor 10013 has a longer terminal portion 110 than do con-ductors 100A. Conductor 100G, receivable in bore 85G, is of a larger diameter, correspond ing to the diameter of conductor pin 40G of receptacle R, v

as shown in FIG. 2. Terminal portion 110 of conductor 100G is likewise substantially longer than terminal po-r tions 110 of con-ductors 100A and 100B, as best seen in FIG. 25.

this time, finger 115 will have passed outwardly beyond surface 93, 94 or 96, and will have snapped outwardly to I engage the respective shoulder 102. This locks each conductor 100 against displacement to the left, as viewed in FIG. 25, and displacement to the right is inhibited by interengagement between shoulder 109 and a shoulder 86. Screws 113 are then threaded into extruded bosses 112. It will be noted that the formations of compartments 90 and 95 are such that the flanges 114 of conductors 100 rest against shoulders or shelves, such as 97A, to suppo t terminal portions 110 during driving of screws 113.

It will be noted that the part of the terminal portion 110 having a screw 113 threaded thereinto is disposed in a respective channel shape compartment 90 or 95 and thus is electrically isolated from the other screws 113. Such electrical isolation, as well as facilitating access to ter minal screws 113 is greatly helped by the arrangement of the terminals of conductors 100. Thus, and referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, not only-are the terminal portions of conductors 100 staggered longitudinally of plug body 80 but also they arestaggered transversely or vertically thereof. This provides ready access to each of screws 113 for attaching a conductor to a terminal portion 110 of a conductor 100, as well as preventing any accidental short circuiting between adjacent conductors 100.

Plug P is arranged to have cabled conductors anchored therein, with the respective conductors being electrically connected to terminal portions 110 of sleeve type conductors 100 engageable with pins 40 of female receptacl R. For this purpose, a clamping element or clamp 120, best seen in FIGS. 24, 25, 27, 28 and 29, is hingedly connected to the plug body 80. Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 24 and 25, a pair of cars 116 are molded integrally with partition 92 to extend downwardly therefrom relative to forward portion 81 of body 80, each of the ears 116 being spaced inwardly the same distance from an associated side wall 91 of rear body part 82. Adjacent each ear 116, each side wall 91 is formed with a wedge shape outwardly projecting reinforcement 117. Between each ear 116 and the adjacent side wall 91, the lower edge of partition 92 is formed with substantially cylindrical trunnion or bearing surfaces 118. The outer surface of each ear 116 is flat and generally parallel to the outer surface of body part 81, as indicated at 119. Each ear 116 is formed with a recess 121 opening forwardly of plug body 80, and having its inner end cylindrical, recesses 121 each facing a respective side wall 91.

, Recesses 121 are arranged to provide turnnion bearing surfaces disengageably receiving hinge pintles or pins 122 on clamp 120. Clarrrp 120 is molded of the same plastic composition material used for molding of receptacle R and plug body 80. The clamp is substantially L-shaped in side elevation, including a body portion 123 and a handle portion 124. Body portion 123 is substantially hollow and includes a substantially rectangular recess 126 which is defined, in part, by a forward Wall 127 whose outer surface has a fiat 128 (FIG. 29). The side walls 129 defining recess 126 are essentially trapezoidal on their inner surfaces, and their ends remote from wall127 are joined by a relatively thicker wall 131 whose outer surface is convex. A substantially semi-circular recess 125 is formed in wall 131.

The handle portion 124 is hollowed out for lightness in weight, and includes an inner end wall 132 extending out wardly from wall 131 and formed with arcuate cross sectional recesses 130 whose axes are aligned with recesses 135. The free end of the handle is preferablyformed with a hole 133 for fastening of a chain or other retaining device, and for a purpose to be described, the portions of extensions 132 outwardly of the recess 130 are formed with relatively oval or elongated slots 134. Cable gripping ridges 135 extend transversely of arcuate recess 130. Hinge pintles 122 extend inwardly from respective ears 136 extending from either side of end wall 127 of recess 126.

The cable receiving grooves or recesses 125 and 130 of clamp 120 are arranged to cooperate with mating formations on plug body 80 to clamp a cable therebetween. For this purpose, the outer end of rear body section 82 of body 80 has a relatively thick or wide wall 137 extending thereacross, the outer surface of wall 137 being substantially flush with the ends of side walls 91. The longitudinal inner surface of wall 137 is beveled or sloped, as indicated at 138. Wall 137 is formed, substantially centrally, with a semi-cylindrical recess 140 provided with ribs or ridges 141 and constituting the other one-half of the cable clamp. On either side of recess 140, wall 137 is formed with holes 142. These holes are arranged to 19 receive self-tapping screws 143 which are inserted through slots 134 in clamp 120 and then threaded into holes 142.

As stated, plug P is arranged to have oriented insertion into receptacle R and to be locked therein by latch means L on receptacle cover C. For this purpose, the upper wall of plug body has a substantially rectangular rib 145 extending therealong. The part 144 of rib 145 which is coextensive with forward body portion 8-1 is a substantially upwardly opening channel shape in cross section. Extending rearwardly from face 84 of rear body section 82, a rib 145 is formed with a slopping ramp section 146 which also has an upwardly opening channel shaped cross section. Ramp section 146 terminates rearwardly in a cross wall having a beveled rear surface 147. Rearwardly of surface 147, rib 145 has a substantially solid rectangular cross section.

To condition plug P for use, screws 143 are removed and clamp 12% is disengaged from plug 'body 80. A cable 150 having seven conductors 151 (in the particular embodiment illustrated) is laid into recess 140 and the conductors are secured, by screws 113, to terminal portions of conductors 150. This is easily effected because of the staggered relationship of the terminal portions, each of which is in a particular isolated channel compartment 90. Clamp is assembled to body 80 by engaging pins 122 in pin recesses 86. The clamp is then swung up against cable 150 and screws 143 are inserted through slots 134 and threaded into holes 142 in wall 137 until such time as the-clamp and the body have firmly gripped cable 150 therebetween, such gripping being facilitated by ridges and 141. Plug P is now ready for use.

The conductors of the trailer are suitably connected to terminal portions 42 of pins 41 by the use of screw 44. Again, connection of the conductors to receptacle R is greatly facilitated due to the compartmented arrangement of terminal portions 42 and their electrical isolation from each other by virtue of compartments 45.

Before plug P is engaged in receptacle R, cover C is swung open with latch bar 70 normally in a position wherein its conical pin 73 is engaged in the conical recess 76 in the cover, this engagement being facilitated by the relative resilience of latch bar 70. The locking edge of latch bar 70 then extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of interengagement of plug P and receptacle R. With cover C open, plug P is then positioned with rib adapted to engage within rectangular groove 32 of receptacle R and with sleeve 100G aligned with pin 40G. As the plug is pushed home in thereceptacle, latch bar 70 rides along rib 145, up ramp 146, and then snaps behind shoulder 147. Plug P is now releasably' latched to receptacle R, by virtue of the spring bias on cover C maintaining latch 75 firmly engaged behind shoulder 147 of rib 145. To release the plug from the receptacle, cover C may be lifted up and plug P is pulled out of receptacle R, or plug P may be withdrawn without 1ift. ing of cover C, in which case latch 75 will ride up shoulder or abutment 147 to cam cover C upwardly.

Should there be an inadvertent disengaging force applied to plug P and receptacle R, or any unusual resistance to disengagement, no harm will be done. In such case, engagement of shoulder 147 with latch bar 75 will swing this latch bar so that its pin 73 will become disengaged from hole 76 and will enter into slot or groove 68,

thus releasing the plug to be removed from the receptacle. Due to the springiness and float of the sleeve type conductors 100, any slight misalignment 'between'the pins of the receptacle and the sleeves of the plug will not have any substantial effect upon the interengagement of the plug and the receptacle.

Side walls 123 of clamp 120 have a close fit within walls 91 of plug body 80, with wall 131 bearing against surfaces 138 of the plug body.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood 1 that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A multicircuit electrical connector comprising, in combination, a receptacle formed with an outwardly opening recess, a plurality of first conductors carried by said receptacle in a predetermined pattern within said recess, a cover hinged to said receptacle, spring means cooperating between said receptacle and said cover to bias said cover to close said recess, a plug insertable into said recess upon swinging of said cover to an open position, a plurality of second conductors carried by said plug in a predetermined pattern for engagement with said first conductors on insertion of said plug into said recess, means for guiding said plug in a predetermined relationship with respect to said receptacle on insertion of said plug into said recess, abutment means on the surface of said plug, and latch means displaceably mounted on the inner surface of said cover for movement in a plane substantially parallel to said cover and releasably retained in a latching position, said latch means cooperating with said abutment means under the biasing of said spring means for releasably retaining said plug in said recess, said latch means being shiftable to a non-latching position by said abutment means upon application of a sudden, inadvertent withdrawing stress to said plug.

2. A multicircuit electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, in which said latch means comprises a latch bar, means" pivoting said latch bar to the inner surface of said cover, said latch bar being pivotable along the inner surface of said cover between said latching position and said non-latching position, and releasable detent means cooperating between said latch bar and said cover in said latching position.

'3. A multicircuit electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said abutment means comprises a shoulder extending transversely of said plug relative to the direction of movement of said plug into and out of said receptacle, said shoulder facing outwardly of said plug away from said receptacle, and said latch means, in the latching position thereof, extends transversely of said cover relative to the direction of withdrawal of said plug from said receptacle.

.4. A multicircuit electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outwardly facing surface of said recess is provided with an annular rib extending therearound and the inner surface of said cover is formed with an annular groove mating with said annular rib to form a seal for said receptacle when said plug is removed therefrom and said cover is biased to the closed position.

5. A multicircuit electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is formed with an integral flange projecting laterally therefrom adjacent the open end of said recess, said flange being formed with a pair of first and second ears formed with axially aligned apertures, the aperture in said first ear being divided into two sections, one of which is of larger diameter than the other, said cover being formed with third and fourth laterally extending and spaced ears, spacing of said third and fourth ears being of the order of the spacing of said first and second ears, each of said third and fourth ears having a trunnion pin projecting therefrom in the same direction, the trunnion pins being axially aligned, one of said trunnion pins being split longitudinally and formed with shoulder meas at the outer end thereof, said trunnion pins being receivable in the apertures in said first and second ears to hingeably secure said cover to said receptacle, said split trunnion pin being received in said aperture in said first ear and, during insertion, being compressed whereupon, on completion of said insertiomsaid shoulder means snap outwardly into the larger diameter portion of said aperture in said first car to lock said cover to said receptacle.

6. A multicircuit electrical connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outwardly facing surface of said receptacle recess is provided with an annular rib extending therearound and the inner surface of said cover is formed with an annular groove for mating with said annular rib to form a seal when said plug is removed and said cover is biased to the closed position, and wherein the lateral spacing of said third and fourth ears is greater than the lateral spacing of said first and second ears, and the diameter of each of said trunnion pins is less than the diameter of the respective apertures in said first and second ears, whereby to provide limited degree of lateral play of said cover with respect to said receptacle for conforming interfitting of said annular groove with said annular rib to assure sealing of said recess without the necessity of a sealing gasket.

7. A multicircuit electrical connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the aperture in said second ear is divided into an inner section and an outer section, the inner section having a diameter of the order of that of said other trunnion pin and the outer section having a larger diameter, said other trunnion pin being formed with a slot extending longitudinally thereof, said spring means including a coil spring positionable upon said other trunnion pin and having a radially inwardly extending end engaged in said slot and a radially outwardly extending other end, the outer diameter of said coil spring being substantially equal to the diameter of said larger diameter outer section of the aperture in said second ear, said last named aperture section being formed with an arcuate recess in its inner surface having a helical cam surface therein for engagement by said radially outwardly extending end of said coil spring, whereby, as said other trunnion pin is advanced into the aperture in said second ear to engage in the smaller diameter section thereof, the radially outwardly extending end of said coil spring will engage said helical cam surface so that, upon inward axial movement of said trunnion pin, said coil spring will be wound as said radially outwardly extending end thereof rides along said helical cam surface to effect a prestressing of said coil spring during assembly thereof.

8. For use in a multicircuit electrical connector or the like, the combination comprising a receptacle formed with an outwardly opening recess, a cover, hinge means hinging said cover to said receptacle, and spring means cooperating between said receptacle and said cover to bias said cover to close said recess, said hinge means including an integral flange projecting laterally from said receptacle adjacent the open end of said recess, said flange being formed with at least a first ear having an aperture therethrough, a second ear extending laterally from said cover and having a trunnion pin projecting therefrom for engagement with said aperture, said aperture being divided into an inner section and an outer section, said inner section having a diameter of the order of that of said trunnion pin and the outer section having a larger diameter, said trunnion pin being formed with a'slot extending longitudinally thereof, said spring means including a coil spring positionable upon said trunnion pin and having a radially inwardly extending end engaged in said slot and a radially outwardly extending other end, the outer diameter of said coil spring being substantially equal to the diameter of said larger diameter outer section of said aperture, said last named aperture section being formed with an arcuate recess in its inner surface having a helical cam surface therein for engagement by said radially outwardly extending end of said coil spring, whereby, as said trunnion pin is advanced into the aperture in said first ear to engage in the smaller diameter section thereof, the radially outwardly extending end of said coil spring will engage said helical cam surface so that, upon inward axial movement of said trunnion pin, said coil spring will be wound as said radially outwardly extending end thereof rides along said heli- 13 cal cam surface to effect a prestressing of said coil spring 2,590,886 during assembly thereof. 2,947,024 3,096,133 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 941 504 894,644 7/1908 Hill 339-44 X 1,125,370 1/1915 Mueller 339-44 1,209,892 12/1916- Seemann 339-44 1,685,420 9/ 1928 Higham 339-107 14 4/1952 Pedersen 339-107 8/1960 Czudak 16-168 7/1963 Stanley 339-44 FOREIGN PATENTS 4/1956 Germany.

BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Examiner. 

1. A MULTICIRCUIT ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RECEPTACLE FORMED WITH AN OUTWARDLY OPENING RECESS, A PLURALITY OF FIRST CONDUCTORS CARRIED BY SAID RECEPTACLES IN A PREDETERMINED PATTERN WITHIN SAID RECESS, A COVER HINGED TO SAID RECEPTACLE, SPRING MEANS COOPERATING BETWEEN SAID RECEPTACLE AND SAID COVER TO BIAS SAID COVER TO CLOSE SAID RECESS, A PLUG INSERTABLE INTO SAID RECESS UPON SWINGING OF SAID COVER TO AN OPEN POSITION, A PLURALITY OF SECOND CONDUCTORS CARRIED BY SAID PLUG IN A PREDETERMINED PATTERN FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST CONDUCTORS ON INSERTION OF SAID PLUG INTO SAID RECESS, MEANS FOR GUIDING SAID PLUG IN A PREDETERMINED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID RECEPTACLE ON INSERTION OF SAID PLUG INTO SAID RECESS, ABUTMENT MEANS ON THE SURFACE OF SAID PLUG, AND LATCH MEANS DISPLACEABLY MOUNTED ON THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID COVER FOR MOVEMENT IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID COVER AND RELEASABLY RETAINED IN A LATCHING POSITION, SAID LATCH MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID ABUTMENT MEANS UNDER THE BIASING OF SAID SPRING MEANS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID PLUG IN SAID RECESS, SAID LATCH MEANS BEING SHIFTABLE TOA NON-LATCHING POSITION BY SAID ABUTMENT MEANS UPON APPLICATION OF A SUDDEN, INADVERTENT WITHDRAWING STRESS TO SAID PLUG. 